One of the toughest things we face as individuals each day is making good decisions. When all is said and done, I believe our current lives are a direct result of the choices we make. Sure, there are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, this is true for the majority of us. Today I thought I would share with you a question I ask myself whenever I am confronted with making a tough choice.

Whenever I find myself in a quandary about whether or not to do something, I often ask myself a question I borrowed from the song “On the Line” by Graham Nash of the famous band Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. It goes as follows: So is the money I make worth the price that I pay? Now of course, just like Mr. Nash, I’m not speaking specifically about money. Money, in this case, is a euphemism for the benefits received from taking a particular action. This question often helps me flesh out the possible ramifications of my actions. If I decide that the money I make is not worth the price I will pay, I choose not to take that action. Although this is a bit simplistic, I find it extremely helpful. For example, if you’re on a diet and craving a candy bar, is the instant satisfaction of eating the candy worth the price of weight gain and dissatisfaction with yourself? All choices have price tags. How do you evaluate the options when you are about to make a tough choice?